Exams regulator Ofqual has confirmed that a ‘substantial number’ of A-level and GCSE results will be marked down because of grade inflation.
Tests were replaced by teacher assessment this year because of the pandemic, with A-level results 12% better on average compared with last year and GCSE results some 9% better.
A substantial number of students will receive at least one grade that has been adjusted as a result of the standardisation process they said. And while some will be adjusted upwards, on average, centres have submitted grades that are higher than would be expected. That is not surprising, given that the circumstances meant teachers were not given an opportunity to develop a common approach to grading in advance.
The regulator also said that it been concerned about the risks of bias in judgements used this summer and we have done everything we can to minimise or eliminate them.
Their preliminary analysis is very encouraging and suggests there will generally be no widening of the gaps in attainment between different groups of students. In other words, the concern that identifiable groups of students would lose out from this year’s arrangements has not been borne out.
“Any adjustments made as a result of standardisation will be precisely determined by exam boards for each subject in each school and college, and evidence based. And these adjustments mean universities, colleges and employers can be confident this year’s results carry the same value, and students can compete on a level playing field for opportunities with students from previous and future years.” said the regulator
